Home

Coronavirus crisis: Five Artania cruise ship passengers among 14 new WA cases

Sarah Steger and Phil HickeyThe West Australian
Health Minister Roger Cook.
Camera IconHealth Minister Roger Cook. Credit: Michael Wilson/The West Australian

Western Australia has 14 new coronavirus cases, including another five from virus-stricken cruise ship the Artania.

Only nine of the new COVID-19 cases are from WA, which Health Minister Roger Cook said was a “great success”.

The new cases bring the State’s total cases to 436.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“It's a great result,” Mr Cook told media this afternoon, adding that the relatively small increase in confirmed cases showed the community was heeding advice on social distancing and isolation.

“Every day we see these low numbers is just another day that we're ahead of the curve.”

Health Minister Roger Cook said on Saturday he was very pleased by the latest numbers.

The 14 people affected are aged between 26-84. One is from the Kimberley and one is from the Pilbara, while all the remaining cases are from the Perth metropolitan region.

Of the nine new WA cases, four are related to other cruise ships. Another four cases are related to overseas travel and one is still under investigation.

Three of the new cases are in hospital.

Mr Cook said so far, 92 people had recovered from the virus in WA. More than 700 people presented to clinics yesterday for testing, of which 455 were swabbed.

“(It’s) very pleasing however that now we’ve seen this larger cohort of patients going through the COVID clinics we are still only seeing these very low numbers of positive cases,” Mr Cook said.

“It’s really pleasing to see that we still only have nine actual West Australian based cases.

“This is what we expected, we believe we’re on top of any community spread.”

Mr Cook said by flattening the curve the State was able to make sure hospitals “don’t get overwhelmed”.

He assured the public there were enough ICU beds in the public health system to cope with the demand, with 127 currently available and about 200 more on the way following a $15 million package for the purchase of extra medical equipment including ventilators.

Mr Cook said the new equipment would arrive in the coming weeks and join the already “hundreds upon hundreds of ventilators” available to COVID-19 patients in the State.

The State’s Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson said he was not concerned over the impact of the coronavirus outbreak combined with the looming flu season.

“In fact I think we’re pushing the curve way beyond the flu season, it’s actually becoming less likely we’ll be peaking during the flu season,” he said.

From today new penalties will apply which can see individuals fined $1000 and businesses $5000 who disobey self-isolation and gathering directives.

This means West Australians will have to follow both directions issued on the WA Government website and from any authorities such as the police.

The new rules mean three individuals who gather in a group in public, without meeting the exemptions, would be fined $1000 each.

In New South Wales on the spot fines are already in action, with one resident handed a fine after reportedly going for a run and stopping to have a kebab.

The man was reportedly warned twice before being fined.

Mr Cook said on Saturday he was unaware of anyone being fined yet.

Speaking on the Artania, docked at Fremantle Passenger Terminal, Mr Cook said while the Commonwealth Government was keen to ensure the ship left WA’s shores as soon as possible, the State Government would standby to assist people on board who need medical help.

It comes after German travel agency Phoenix Reisen confirmed the ship would undergo a two-week quarantine period starting yesterday, which is understood to see sections of the ship cleaned while remaining crew remain isolated in another section of the ship.

This process will continue until no “red zones” remain and the entire vessel is a “green zone”.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails